Overview of the Specialized Bicycles Podcast: Inside the All-New Diverge 4
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- By Nate Braks
In a recent podcast, Specialized Bicycles gave an inside look at the new Diverge 4, a gravel bike designed to handle a variety of terrain. Specialized's Global Marketing Manager Brent Sager and senior design engineer Stewart Thompson talked about the bike's development, key features, and intended use.
Key Takeaways from the Podcast:
- Design and Purpose: The Diverge 4 was conceived with a clear goal: to be a single bike that can be used for everything from road riding to technical gravel and even racing. The design team aimed to balance the bike's on-road performance with its off-road capabilities.
- Target Rider: The bike is intended for the "everyday adventurer," or what the hosts call "the weekend warrior." This is a rider who wants a bike that can handle various types of rides without needing a specific bike for each one.
Key Features:
- Future Shock 3.0: A key innovation in the Diverge 4 is the newest version of Future Shock system, which offers 20mm of travel to absorb bumps and vibrations. Specialized says that the Future Shock 3.0 is up to 53% smoother & 11 watts faster. This is a crucial feature for riders who spend time on rough roads, as it helps reduce fatigue and improve control.
- Progressive Geometry: The bike features a longer front end and a slacker head tube, which makes it more stable and confident on descents and technical terrain. However, the design team also worked to maintain the bike's responsiveness and quick handling for road riding.
- Suspension and Frame: The team spent a significant amount of time fine-tuning the Future Shock to be responsive and supple for small bumps, but also firm enough to handle larger impacts without bottoming out. They also made adjustments to the frame to optimize it for the new suspension system.
- Roval Terra Seatpost: Pairing a smooth front end with a harsh rear doesn’t deliver speed or comfort, so Specialized matched Future Shock 3.0 with the Roval Terra seatpost. When your rear wheel impacts a bump, it deflects - up to 18mm - in the opposite direction of upward wheel travel. More than absorbing the bump for comfort, it keeps your mass stable and rear wheel planted to harness every watt. Specialized calls this ‘vector compliance’ and it weighs less than 200 grams.
- Gearing and Tires: The podcast also touches on the gearing choices for the Diverge 4. The hosts mention that a 1x or 2x setup is an option, but the ideal gearing will depend on the rider's style and the type of terrain they typically ride. For tires, the bike is optimized for 47mm tires but can also accommodate up to 50mm tires. The team found that a 47mm tire provided the best balance of speed and comfort.
The Specialized Bicycles Podcast: Inside the All-New Diverge 4